Radiation Associated with Hot Rock Geothermal Power
- Key words
- radiation, radon, radium, uranium, Hot Rock geothermal
- Conference
- Australian Geothermal Energy Conference
- Year
- 2009
- Language
- English
Full text
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Abstract
Water in Hot Rock reservoirs is in contact with granites containing radioactive elements (radionuclides). The wider community is generally aware of this fact through publicity by the Australian geothermal industry. It is less clear to the public what radiation hazards may exist for Hot Rock projects, and how significant they may be. The aim of this study was to investigate likely radiation hazards associated with Hot Rock geothermal power, with a particular emphasis on radon emission. The study consisted of a review of literature and quantitative estimates of radon emission and dispersion from a typical Hot Rock reservoir. This information has been used to develop a fact sheet, published by Primary Industries and Resources South Australia (PIRSA, 2009).
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